Recording method, recording apparatus, reproducing method and reproduction apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention aims to enable revision of additional information buried in contents data with less burden on hardware. For this purpose, a predetermined amount of inputted contents data is temporarily stored in buffer means, the additional information buried in the contents data being detected from the contents data temporarily stored in the buffer means, the contents of the detected additional information being estimated, the contents data being made to be recorded in a predetermined medium when estimated that the contents data can be recorded, and the contents data being made not to be recorded in the medium when estimated that the contents data must not be recorded. In addition, when estimated that revision of the additional information is necessary, the relevant part of data stored in the buffer means is revised while it is being stored in the buffer means.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording method and arecording apparatus fit for recording data in which additionalinformation such as copyright management information is buried incontents data such as digital audio data, and also relates to areproducing method and a reproducing apparatus fit for reproducing thesame data.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] It has heretofore been put into practice to bury copyrightmanagement information in contents data such as digital audio data. Forexample, in case of digital audio data, it has been proposed to buryso-called “Buried-data” in the audio data for executing the copyrightmanagement.

[0003] Details about the buried-data will be explained later whendescribing the embodiment. In short, the additional information otherthan the contents data is arranged by making use of several bits, eachof which belongs to each sector and is the least significant bit ofdigital data whose one sample includes, e.g. sixteen bits. To makeoutput sound when audio data including the buried-data are reproducedremain the same as output sound when the audio data not yet includingthe buried-data are reproduced, some modifications are usually made onaudio data in sections other than those including the buried data. Inaddition, it is designed that the buried-data is not arranged insections where audio data are mute data.

[0004] By burying the buried-data having the copyright managementinformation in the contents data such as audio data, satisfactorymanagement of copyright of those contents can be performed using theburied-data. Because the buried-data buried in the contents data willremain as it is, unless compression processing or the like is performedon the contents data. Thus, as compared with a case where copyrightmanagement information is added as additional information like subcodewhich is different from audio data itself, it is difficult to alter orremove the copyright management information, so that the management ofcopyright can be carried out effectively.

[0005] Incidentally, when the management of copyright on audio data,etc. is carried out, there are cases where the modifications ofcopyright information are required depending on use conditions of itscontents. However, when the buried-data is used, hardware withinapparatus must bear a heavy burden to execute processings for themodification. This poses a problem.

[0006] Specifically, the copyright information in contents data such asaudio data may include information on limiting the number of times ofcopying. For example, there may be a case where copying of contents ispermitted only once. On such occasion, when reproducing original dataand then recording the reproduced data in some medium, it is necessaryto revise old buried-data, which is contained in the reproduced originaldata and indicates that copying is allowed once, to new buried-dataindicating that no copying is allowed, before recording it in themedium. To execute such revision processing, however, it is necessary toextract the buried-data from the contents data, revise the buried-datathat is extracted, and bury the buried-data that is revised in thecontents data. Because the buried-data is primarily recorded forpreventing a wrong use, it is designed to make the processing difficult.When some circuit for the processing is provided in a data recordingapparatus or the like, the structure of apparatus goes complicatedaccordingly. This poses the aforesaid problem.

[0007] Additionally, although the problem has been described, which isposed when the buried-data is buried in audio data for use, the sameproblem will also be raised when processing additional information whichis buried in other various contents data.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0008] An object of the present invention is to enable the revision ofadditional information buried in contents data with less burden on thehardware.

[0009] A first invention is a recording method comprising:

[0010] a storage step of temporarily storing a predetermined amount ofinputted contents data in buffer means;

[0011] a detection step of detecting the additional information buriedin the contents data from the contents data that is temporarily storedat the storage step;

[0012] an estimation step of estimating contents of the additionalinformation that is detected at the detection step; and

[0013] a record step of recording the contents data in a predeterminedmedium when estimated that the contents data can be recorded at theestimation step, and not recording the contents data in the medium whenestimated that the contents data must not be recorded.

[0014] By arranging in this way, when information on copy-limiting iscontained in the additional information buried in the inputted contentsdata for example, the recording of the contents data in the medium isrestricted based on the additional information. By estimating datastored in the buffer means which temporarily stores data to be recorded,a satisfactory record-restriction processing will be enabled. Thus, acopyright protection processing such as the prevention of wrong copyingcan easily be executed.

[0015] A second invention is a recording method according to the firstinvention, further comprising a rewrite step of rewriting additionalinformation stored in the buffer means while the additional informationis being stored, when estimated that the rewriting of the additionalinformation is necessary at the estimation step.

[0016] By arranging in this manner, it will be possible to rewriteeasily the additional information such as the copy-limiting informationwithout needing special means to perform the rewriting of additionalinformation.

[0017] A third invention is a recording method according to the firstinvention, further comprising a kind identification step of identifyingthe kind of data on the inputted contents data, wherein

[0018] only when the contents data are identified as a predeterminedformat of data at the kind identification step, the aforesaid detectionstep and estimation step are carried out so as to restrict recording thedata in a medium.

[0019] By doing in this way, only when recording a format of data whoserecording may likely be restricted, the relevant detection andestimation processings need to be executed. When recording anotherformat of data, the detection and estimation of additional informationneed not to be executed. This can make the execution of recordprocessing easier accordingly.

[0020] A fourth invention is a recording method according to the thirdinvention, wherein the predetermined format to be identified at the kindidentification step is a format which may probably be audio data.

[0021] By doing in this way, the preventive processing against wrongrecording of audio data will effectively function by simple processing.

[0022] A fifth invention is a recording method according to the firstinvention, wherein

[0023] when the contents data begin to be inputted, if the contents datastored in the buffer means at the storage step reach the predeterminedamount of data or more, the detecting operation at the detection step isstarted.

[0024] By arranging in this manner, the additional information buriedperiodically in the contents data will certainly be detected. Further,when the additional information is not buried in a front section of thecontents data, the additional information will also be detectedcertainly.

[0025] A sixth invention is a recording apparatus comprising:

[0026] buffer means for temporarily storing a predetermined amount ofinputted contents data;

[0027] control means for detecting additional information buried in thecontents data from the contents data that are temporarily stored in thebuffer means, for making the contents data to be recorded if contents ofthe detected additional information indicate that the contents data canbe recorded, and for making contents data not to be recorded if contentsof the detected additional information indicate that the contents datamust not be recorded; and

[0028] recorder means for recording in a predetermined medium under thecontrol of the control means.

[0029] By constructing in this way, when the additional informationburied in inputted contents data contains copy-limiting information forexample, processing to restrict recording the contents data in a mediumis executed based on the additional information. The processing torestrict recording the contents data will be executed satisfactorily byestimating data to be recorded, which are temporarily stored in thebuffer means. As a result, there can be provided a recording apparatuswhich is capable of performing easily a copyright protection processingsuch as the prevention against wrong copying.

[0030] A seventh invention is a recording apparatus according to thesixth invention, wherein

[0031] when the control means estimates that the rewriting of additionalinformation is necessary, the control means controls to rewrite theadditional information stored in the buffer means, while the relevantadditional information is being stored in the buffer means.

[0032] By constructing in this manner, it is possible to rewrite theadditional information such as copy-limiting information easily withoutneeding any special means to perform the rewriting of additionalinformation.

[0033] A eighth invention is a recording apparatus according to thesixth invention, wherein

[0034] the control means identifies the kind of data on the contentsdata temporarily stored in the buffer means, and controls to record thecontents data in the medium, only when the contents data are identifiedas a predetermined format of data.

[0035] By constructing in this way, only when recording a format of datawhose recoding may likely be restricted, the relevant detection andestimation processings need to be executed. When recording anotherformat of data, the detection and estimation of additional informationneed not to be executed. This can make the execution of recordprocessing easier accordingly.

[0036] A ninth invention is a recording apparatus according to the sixthinvention, wherein

[0037] after the amount of data stored in the buffer means reaches apredetermined amount of data or over, the control means starts to detectthe additional information.

[0038] By constructing in this manner, the additional information buriedperiodically in contents data can be detected certainly. When theadditional information is not buried in a front section of the contentsdata, the additional information can also be detected certainly.

[0039] A tenth invention is a reproducing method comprising:

[0040] a storage step of temporarily storing a predetermined amount ofcontents data reproduced from a predetermined medium in buffer means;

[0041] a detection step of detecting additional information buried inthe contents data from the contents data temporarily stored at thestorage step;

[0042] an estimation step of estimating contents of the additionalinformation detected at the detection step; and

[0043] an output step of outputting outside the contents datatemporarily stored in the buffer means when estimated that the contentsdata can be copied at the estimation step, and not outputting outsidethe contents data temporarily stored in the buffer means when estimatedthat the contents data must not be copied.

[0044] By doing in this way, for example, when the additionalinformation buried in the contents data reproduced from the mediumincludes copy-limiting information, the outputting of contents data isrestricted based on the additional information. In other words, it isrestricted that the outputted contents data are recorded in anothermedium. Thus, an output restriction processing on the reproduced datawill be executed satisfactorily by estimating the data stored in thebuffer means that temporarily stores the reproduced data. This meansthat a copyright protection processing such as the preventive processingagainst wrong copying that records the reproduced data in otherrecording device can be executed with ease.

[0045] An eleventh invention is a reproducing method according to thetenth invention, further comprising a rewrite step of rewriting theadditional information stored in the buffer means while the additionalinformation is being stored, when estimated that the rewriting of theadditional information is necessary at the estimation step.

[0046] By arranging in this manner, it will be possible to rewriteeasily the additional information such as copy-limiting informationwithout the necessity of providing special means to perform therewriting of additional information.

[0047] A twelfth invention is a reproducing method, further comprising akind identification step of identifying the kind of data on the contentsdata stored at the storage step, wherein

[0048] only when the contents data is identified as a predeterminedformat of data at the kind identification step, the aforesaid detectionstep and estimation step are carried out so as to restrict outputtingthe reproduced data.

[0049] By arranging in this manner, only when reproducing a format ofdata whose outputting may likely be restricted against wrong use, therelevant detection and estimation processings need to be executed. Whenreproducing another format of data, the detection and estimation ofadditional information need not to be executed, whereby the reproductionprocessing can more easily be executed accordingly.

[0050] A thirteenth invention is a reproducing method according to thetwelfth invention, wherein the predetermined format to be identified atthe kind identification step is a format indicative of audio data.

[0051] By doing in this way, the preventive processing against wrong useof audio data will effectively function by simple processing.

[0052] A fourteenth invention is a reproducing method according to thetwelfth invention, wherein

[0053] when the contents data begin to be reproduced, if the contentsdata stored in the buffer means at the storage step reach apredetermined amount of data or over, the detection at the detectionstep is started.

[0054] By arranging in this manner, it will be possible to certainlydetect the additional information buried periodically in the contentsdata. Further, when the additional information is not buried in a frontsection of the contents data, the additional information can also bedetected certainly.

[0055] A fifteenth invention is a reproducing method according to thetwelfth invention, further comprising an indication step of indicating aresult estimated at the estimation step in a predetermined manner.

[0056] By arranging in this way, when outputting of data reproduced fromthe medium is restricted, it will be clear by the indication why theoutputting is restricted.

[0057] A sixteenth invention is a reproducing apparatus comprising:

[0058] reproduction means for reproducing contents data from apredetermined medium;

[0059] buffer means for temporarily storing a predetermined amount ofthe contents data reproduced by the reproduction means;

[0060] output means for making the contents data temporarily stored inthe buffer means to be outputted; and

[0061] control means for detecting additional information buried in thecontents data from the contents data temporarily stored in the buffermeans, making the contents data to be outputted from the output means ifthe detected additional information indicates that the contents data canbe copied, and making the contents data not to be outputted from theoutput means if it indicates that the contents data must not be copied.

[0062] By constructing in this way, for example, when the additionalinformation buried in the contents data reproduced from the mediumcontains copy-limiting information, outputting of the contents data isrestricted based on the additional information, so that it is restrictedthat the outputted contents data are recorded in another medium. Thus,by estimating data stored in the buffer means that temporarily storesthe reproduced data, the output restriction processing of the reproduceddata will be executed satisfactorily. In consequence, there can beobtained a reproducing apparatus in which copyright protectionprocessing such as the prevention of wrong copying that records thereproduced data in other recording device can be executed with ease.

[0063] A seventeenth invention is a reproducing apparatus according tothe sixteenth invention, wherein

[0064] when the control means estimates that the rewriting of additionalinformation of contents data outputted from the output means isnecessary, the control means controls to rewrite the additionalinformation stored in the buffer means, while the relevant additionalinformation is being stored in the buffer means.

[0065] By constructing in this way, it is possible to rewrite theadditional information such as copy-limiting information simply withoutneeding any special means to perform the rewriting of additionalinformation.

[0066] An eighteenth invention is a reproducing apparatus according tothe sixteenth invention, wherein

[0067] the control means identifies the kind of data on the contentsdata temporarily stored in the buffer means and controls to make thecontents data not to be outputted from the output means only when thecontents data are identified as data of a predetermined format.

[0068] By constructing in this manner, only when reproducing a format ofdata which may likely be restricted against wrong use, the relevantdetection and estimation processings need to be executed. Whenreproducing the other format of data, there is no need to execute thedetection and estimation of additional information, so that it will bepossible to carry out more simply the reproduction processingaccordingly.

[0069] A nineteenth invention is a reproducing apparatus according tothe sixteenth invention, wherein

[0070] after the amount of data stored in the buffer means reaches apredetermined amount of data or over, the control means starts to detectthe additional information.

[0071] By constructing in this way, it will be possible to certainlydetect the additional information buried periodically in the contentsdata. Further, when the additional information is not buried in a frontsection of the contents data, it will also be possible to certainlydetect the additional information.

[0072] A twentieth invention is a reproducing apparatus according to thesixteenth invention, further comprising an indication means forindicating contents instructed by the additional information detected bythe control means.

[0073] By constructing in this manner, when the outputting of datareproduced from the medium is restricted, it will be clear by theindication why the outputting is restricted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0074]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the entire structure of anapparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0075]FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the buried-dataarrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0076]FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing copyright informationarrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0077]FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing copyright informationaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0078]FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the record processing according toan embodiment of the present invention;

[0079]FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the contents renewal processing ofcopyright information according to an embodiment of the presentinvention; and

[0080]FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the reproduction processingaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0081] An embodiment of the present invention will be described belowwith reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0082]FIG. 1 shows the structure of a disk-drive apparatus 100 in whichprocessings according to the present invention are executed. Thedisk-drive apparatus 100 can reproduce data from a data-recorded diskcalled “CD-ROM” and can record data using a recordable medium called“CD-R” or “CD-RW” (CD-R is a medium in which data can be recorded onlyonce; CD-RW is a medium in which data can be rewritten.). The apparatus100 outputs the reproduced data to some connected equipment (such ascomputer device) and records data inputted from the connected equipment.

[0083] In case of the present example, the disk-drive apparatus 100 isconnected to a host computer 200. The reproduced data are supplied tothe host computer 200 and processed there. Data to be recorded are alsosupplied from the host computer 200. The reproduction and recording arecarried out based on instructions from the host computer 200.

[0084] Describing the internal structure of the disk-drive apparatus100, a disk 101 mounted on the drive apparatus 100 is driven to rotateby a spindle motor 111 mounted on a base unit 110. Laser beams areapplied to a signal-recording surface of the disk 101 from a laserdriver 121 within an optical pickup 120 through a beam splitter 123 andlens 124. When data are recorded on the disk 101, power of the appliedlaser beams is set at a relatively strong power for recording use. Whendata recorded on the disk 101 are read out, the power of laser beamsapplied to the disk is set at a relatively weak power for reproductionuse. Return beams reflected at the signal-recorded surface of disk 101arrive at a detector 122 and are detected therein. Additionally, thedetector 122 is designed to detect the beams by dividing them intoplural positions. A radial position of the optical pickup 120 relativeto the disk 101 is determined by driving a forwarding motor (sled motor)112 mounted on a base unit 110. The optical pickup 120 includes afocusing coil or a tracking coil (not shown) for making focalization ortracking adjustment of laser beams. Those coils are controlled by afocusing control signal or a tracking control signal supplied from afocusing/tracking/slide servo unit 133 within a servo block 130. Theforwarding motor 112 is also driven and controlled by aslide-motor-drive signal from the focusing/tracking/slide servo unit133. The spindle motor 111 is driven and controlled by a spindle-drivesignal from a spindle servo unit 131 within the servo block 130.

[0085] The signal detected by the detector 122 within the optical pickup120 is supplied to a sample/hold and matrix amp circuit 143 within a RFprocessing block 140, where the detected signal is sampled withpredetermined timing and amplified. The resulting signal is supplied toa RF signal processor circuit 144 which produces a reproduced RF signal.A sampling rate at the circuit 143 depends on a sampling pulse suppliedfrom a timing generator 151 within a digital processor block 150. Thesample/hold and matrix amp circuit 143 executes operational processingsof addition, subtraction, etc. of outputs from the detector 122 atpredetermined positions to form error components such as a trackingerror signal and focusing error signal. The error components aresupplied to a servo processor 132 within the servo block 130 and then aservo control signal is produced by the servo unit 133.

[0086] The reproduced RF signal outputted by the RF signal processorcircuit 144 is supplied to an analog/digital converter and digitalprocessor circuit 153 within the digital processing block 150. Thecircuit 153 converts the signal into the digital form and processes thedigital data. The processed data are supplied to a decode/encode block160 which decodes the data for reproduction to generate reproduced data.The decode/encode block 160 includes a CD-ROM encoder/decoder 161 and anEFM & CIRC encoder/decoder 162. The EFM & CIRC encoder/decoder 162performs, in reproduction, decoding for EFM (Eight-to-FourteenModulation) prescribed by CD format, correction processing using CIRC(Cross Interleave Reed-Solomon Code) and the like. The CD-ROMencoder/decoder 161 decodes from CD-ROM format.

[0087] On this occasion, a buffer memory 163 for storing datatemporarily is connected to the decode/encode block 160. The buffermemory 163 can temporarily store undecoded data or decoded data up to astorage capacity of the buffer memory. The amount of data that thebuffer memory 163 can store is set at a comparatively large amount ofdata. For example, in case of audio data, the storage capacity of thebuffer memory is set so that it can store audio data at least forseveral decade seconds. Additionally, it is arranged in this embodimentthat part of data stored in the buffer memory 163 can be revised(rewritten) under the control of a controller 171 described later. Therewrite processing executed using the buffer memory 163 will bedescribed later.

[0088] The reproduced data decoded by the decode/encode block 160 areoutputted outside through an external interface 173. In this embodiment,the data are transmitted to the host computer 200 connected to thedisk-drive apparatus 100.

[0089] When data are recorded on the disk by the disk-drive apparatus100, data inputted, for example, from the host computer 200 to theexternal interface 173 are encoded into CD-ROM format by the CD-ROMencoder/decoder 161 within the decode/encode block 160. The EFM & CIRCencoder/decoder 162 performs encoding for EFM (Eight-to-FourteenModulation) prescribed by CD format, additional processing of CIRC(Cross Interleave Reed-Solomon Code) and the like.

[0090] The data to be recorded, which are encoded by the decode/encodeblock 160, so-called EFM data are supplied to an EFM equalizer 152within the digital processing block 150. The EFM equalizer 152 performsan equalization processing on the data for operating the laser driver121. A laser output of the laser driver 121 within the optical pickup120 is controlled based on the equalized data to be recorded. The timinggenerator 151 within the digital processing block 150 generates a timingpulse in synchronism with the process timing of the decode/encode block160. The generated timing pulse is supplied to an automatic powercontrol (APC) circuit 141 which controls timing of level control of alaser-drive signal supplied from a digital/analog converter 142. Thelaser-drive signal adjusted in level by the APC circuit 141 is suppliedto the laser driver 121 and data are recorded on the signal-recordingsurface of the disk 101 by laser beams applied to the disk 101.

[0091] In addition, when the mounted disk 101 has address information,etc. recorded on the track as “track wobbling”, an ATIP demodulator 172which receives an output of the sample/hold and matrix amp circuit 143demodulates the data recorded by the wobbling and then supplies thatdata to the controller 171. The data demodulated by the ATIP demodulator172 are also supplied to the servo block 130 for use of servo control.

[0092] The processings in each circuit for reproduction and recordingwhich have been described so far are executed under the control of thecontroller 171. As to processing of the buried-data described later, itis arranged that the controller estimates the data processed in eachblock to execute an appropriate control processing based on theburied-data.

[0093] Next, processing operations when recording data on a disk orreproducing data recorded on the disk using the disk-drive apparatus 100of this embodiment will be described. The description is herein centeredon processing associated with the buried-data contained in the data.

[0094] First of all, it will be described what kind of data theburied-data is: As already described in the background art column, ithas heretofore been put into practice to bury copyright managementinformation in various contents data such as digital audio data. In caseof digital audio data, it has been proposed to bury the buried-data inactual audio data for executing the copyright management. General recordprocessing of copyright management information, which has been practicedfrom the past, is such that the data are recorded using subcode, etc.incident to the contents data (audio data), whereas the buried-data isdirectly buried in part of real audio data as copyright managementinformation and the like. Thus, the buried-data will remain as it is,unless compression processing or the like is performed on the data, sothat the buried-data will effectively function as the copyrightmanagement information. Moreover, it is designed to select section, etc.in which the buried-data is to be buried so that the existence of theburied-data may make no substantial effect on reproduced sound whenaudio data having the buried-data are reproduced.

[0095]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an arrangement example of theburied-data. An upper part of FIG. 2 shows the structure of audio data.In this figure, digital audio data are comprised of samples each ofwhich includes sixteen bits. The data of samples each having sixteenbits for a predetermined period of time are collected into one superframe. In the upper part of FIG. 2, there are shown a super frame i anda super frame j subsequent to the super frame i. Each sample data ofsixteen bits shows a sample value of a waveform corresponding totransmitted audio signal. One super frame is divided into ninety-sixsectors, as is shown in a middle part of FIG. 2. A lower part of FIG. 2shows an enlarged example of data in one sector. The buried-data isassigned or distributed to the least significant bits (LSB) of apredetermined number of sample data from the head of each sector.However, as in case of sector [j+3] shown in FIG. 2, when a sector hasaudio data which are mute (or nearly mute) in level, when a null leastsignificant bit continues in that sector for example, no buried-datashall be distributed to that sector. Moreover, when distributing theburied-data to each sector, audio data may be revised to some extent sothat reproduced audio data may not alter from the original audio owingto the buried-data distribution. The buried-data in this example,however, uses only part of the least significant bits in each sector andso almost no change will occur in the reproduced sound withoutperforming the audio data revision.

[0096]FIG. 3 shows the structure of buried-data in more detail. Theburied-data is distributed to the least significant bits in each sectorof audio data track having sixteen bits per sample, shown in an upperpart of FIG. 3. The buried-data may include offset data or may includecopyright information. Further, a mute section like the sector [j+3] hasno buried-data (empty).

[0097] The copyright information is assigned to only one sector in onesuperframe. To other sectors within one superframe are basicallyassigned the offset data as the buried-data. The offset data indicatethe number of sectors up to the position of a sector where the nextcopyright information is assigned. Therefore, if the offset data can bedetected at least once during one superframe period of time, it ispossible to measure the position where the copyright information isassigned, so that the copyright information can be detected withoutfail.

[0098] As shown in a lower part of FIG. 3, the buried-data including theoffset data also includes beside the offset data a synchronizing word, acyclic redundancy code (CRC) being error detection code and so forth.

[0099] As shown in a lower part of FIG. 3, the buried-data including thecopyright information also includes a synchronization word, an extensiontag of one bit, CRC and so forth beside the copyright information beingthe copyright management information. The cyclic redundancy code isprovided for all data in each buried-data.

[0100]FIG. 4 shows a structure example of the copyright informationwhich is assigned to one buried-data. In this example, there areincluded four kinds of information, i.e. copy/original information,medium-type information, copy-limitation yes/no information, andcopy-control information. The copy/original information indicateswhether or not audio data including the buried-data is original data orcopied data from some medium and the like. The medium-type informationindicates the type of a medium in which audio data including theburied-data is recorded. The copy-limitation yes/no informationindicates whether or not there is any limitation on copying audio datain which the buried-data is buried. The copy-control informationindicates the number of times that audio data including the buried-datacan be copied (the number of times that the audio data can be recordedin a medium).

[0101] The copy-control information indicates, for example, that copyingcan be made null time (namely, copying is inhibited.) or that copyingcan be made only once or that copying can be made unlimitedly or thelike.

[0102] When the disk-drive apparatus 100 of this embodiment records datainputted from the host computer 200 on the disk 101, the controller 171controls to store data to be recorded in the buffer memory 163 and toestimate the buried-data constructed as described above from the storeddata. Therefore, it can be decided whether the recording is permitted ornot. Moreover, the buried-data can be revised if necessary.

[0103] In addition, the data which are handled by the disk-driveapparatus 100 of this embodiment (namely, data which are recorded andreproduced) may include audio data in which no buried-data is buriedother than the audio data in which the buried data is buried. Basically,no buried-data is buried in data other than audio data. It is possible,however, to bury the buried-data (or other similar data for copyrightmanagement) in various contents data other than audio data such as videodata.

[0104] Furthermore, the buried-data is basically buried in almost allsection from the head of audio data through to the end thereof. However,for example, the buried-data may be arranged only in partial section ofa musical piece in such processing that the part is replaced by theother audio data due to partial edit processing.

[0105] Next, record processing by the disk-drive apparatus 100 of thisembodiment will be described with processing of the buried-data beingcentered. A flow chart of FIG. 5 shows an example of processingassociated with copyright information in recording executed under thecontrol of the controller 171. The processing will be described below.When data are first inputted from the host computer 200 through theexternal interface 173, the inputted data are stored in the buffermemory 163 by the amount of data which is equal to the amount of datacorresponding to one sector plus the amount of data corresponding toinitial data (step S11).

[0106] In this case, the amount of data corresponding to initial data isdetermined to be the amount of data, for example, which the buffermemory 163 can store with comparative allowance and which corresponds toaudio data at least for ten and several seconds. The reason why theinitial data are stored is as follows. In general, audio data have amute section in the front and as already described, no buried-data isarranged in the mute section. Therefore, it takes a certain time toreach the buried-data from the front of audio data.

[0107] When the predetermined amount of inputted data has been stored inthe buffer memory 163, the controller 171 detects the data stored in thebuffer memory 163 and estimates whether or not the offset data can bedetected from the stored data (step S12).

[0108] At this moment, the amount of inputted data is first estimatedfrom the subcode or the like incidental to the inputted data as towhether or not the format is indicative of the possibility of audio dataincluding the buried-data. When it is estimated that there are inputteddata of format indicative of no possibility of audio data having theburied-data, the following estimation processing is not executed and theinputted data are processed to be recorded as they are. Specifically,for example, when a data-block type of the inputted data is indicated asraw data, it is estimated that audio data without the compressionprocessing or the like will most likely be transmitted and the audiodata will probably include the buried-data descried above. When theother data-block type is indicated, the following record restrictionprocessing according to the flow chart is made not to be executed.

[0109] When it is estimated that the format of inputted data indicatesthat the buried-data is probably included in audio data, an actualprocessing to detect the offset data from the inputted data is executed.If the offset data are detected as the result of the estimation, theburied position of the copyright information which is indicated by theoffset data is estimated. Then, it is estimated whether or not thecopyright information can be detected from the corresponding data instored data in the buffer memory 163 (step S13). When no copyrightinformation can be detected by this processing, the processing isrepeated until the copyright information is detected. If the copyrightinformation has been detected, content of the copyright information ischecked (step S14). In checking the contents, it is estimated by thecopy-limitation yes/no information (see FIG. 4) included in thecopyright information whether the copying is limited or not (step S15).

[0110] When it is estimated in this step that there is nocopy-limitation, the controller 171 starts processing to record datastored in the buffer memory 163 on the disk 101 installed in thedisk-drive apparatus 100. Thus, the data are recorded on the disk 101(step S16). Even after the data recording has been started, each timenew data for a fixed time period are buffered in the buffer memory 163,the processing returns to the step S12 for detecting the offset dataregularly.

[0111] When it is detected at the step S15 that there is thecopy-limitation, the number of times of copying permitted is estimated(step S18) from the copy-control information (see FIG. 4) in thecopyright information. In this example, since there is thecopy-limitation that the copying is permitted only once, it is estimatedwhether the number of times of copying permitted is once or not. If thenumber of times of copying permitted is estimated not to be once(namely, the number of times of copying permitted is null time), thecontroller 171 controls to stop recording at that time for inhibitingthe apparatus from recording the inputted data on the disk 101 (stepS19). Moreover, after the recording has already been started, if thecopy-control information indicative of null time as the number of timesof copying permitted is detected at this step, then the recording atthat time is also stopped.

[0112] Furthermore, when it is estimated that the number of times ofcopying permitted is once at the step S18, a renewal processing torewrite contents of the buried-data including the copyright information,which is contained in data stored in the buffer memory 163, is executed(step S20). The renewal processing in this case is to revise contents sothat the copyright information may be indicative of null time as thenumber of times of copying permitted. The revision processing will bedescribed later in detail.

[0113] In this way, data stored in the buffer memory 163 are rewrittenand copyright information is revised thereby. The thus revised data areread out of the buffer memory 163 and the record processing is executedunder the control of the controller 171 to record the data on the disk101 (step S21).

[0114] Moreover, when the offset data cannot be detected at the step S12from the certain amount of data which is stored in the buffer memory163, it is also estimated that the data does not include theburied-data. Then, the processing moves to the step S16 for starting therecord processing of inputted data. However, if the copyrightinformation is detected by processings at the steps S12 and S13 from thebuffered data at the later step S17, the recording will be stopped whenthe step S19 is reached based on conditions of the detection at thattime.

[0115] Next, the revision processing of copyright information at thestep S20 in the flow chart of FIG. 5 will be described with reference toa flow chart of FIG. 6. As already has described, the revisionprocessing of copyright information is executed by rewriting data storedin the buffer memory 163 under the control of the controller 171, sothat the controller 171 estimates and processes first on data to berewritten. Specifically, when the copy/original information shown inFIG. 4 is original information, it is changed to copy (step S31).Further, the copy-control information is changed from once to null timein the number of times that copying is permitted (step S32). Afterhaving processed so far, the controller 171 calculates the cyclicredundancy code (CRC) for new copyright information having the revisedcopy/original information and the revised copy-control information (stepS33).

[0116] Having processed heretofore, the controller 171 actually makesthe apparatus rewrite data for which the controller 171 estimates thatrewriting is necessary. To be specific, the controller 171 makes theapparatus rewrite the relevant buried-data stored in the buffer memory163 to the buried-data of a new data structure which is estimated by thecontroller 171 (step S34). This rewriting is continued as long as audiodata of music (track) at that time continue to be inputted and recorded.However, if the inputted data have not included the buried-data, therewrite processing is then suspended (the recording is continued.).

[0117] Additionally, in order to bury precisely the buried-data in audiodata, it is necessary to somewhat modify the audio data so that theburied-data buried at that time may make no effect on reproduced soundof the audio data. In case of this example, only a few bits within theburied-data buried in each sector are modified and so it is difficultfor a listener to catch a change of reproduced sound due to themodification. Therefore, no modification of audio data is carried out.However, when the controller 171, etc. can calculate to modify audiodata, the modification of audio data accompanying the revision of theburied-data can be carried out.

[0118] By recording audio data whose buried-data has thus been revisedon the disk 101 mounted on the disk-drive apparatus 100, whenreproducing the recorded data from the disk 101, the buried-dataincluded in the reproduced data serves as data indicating correctcopy-limitation, thereby allowing the copyright management processing bythe copyright information to be executed correctly. In case of thisexample, while data to be recorded are stored in the buffer memory 163which the disk-drive apparatus 100 comprises for processing data, theburied-data is detected by estimating the stored data and theburied-data is revised by rewriting while it is stored in the buffermemory 163. As a result, there is no need for special circuits toestimate the buried-data and perform the rewriting, thus enabling thestructure and operation of the disk-drive apparatus to be made simpleraccordingly.

[0119] Moreover, because the buried-data is processed under the controlof the controller 171 without the necessity for providing exclusivecircuits to process the buried-data, when the format, etc. of theburied-data is changed for example, it is possible to cope therewithonly by revising control data through the controller 171. Thus, it ispossible to cope easily with the change of format.

[0120] In addition, although it has been described so far that theburied-data is revised in recording, the disk-drive apparatus 100 candetect and revise the buried-data as well, when reproducing data fromthe disk 101 mounted thereon. A flow chart of FIG. 7 shows a controlexample by the controller 171 when the buried-data is revised inreproduction. An example of processing in reproduction will now bedescribed below with reference to the flow chart. To start with, datarecorded on the disk 101 are reproduced (step S41). The reproduced datasupplied to the decode/encode block 160 are made to be stored in thebuffer memory 163 up to a necessary amount of data (step S42). At thismoment, in the same way as in the record processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, the initial data which are required for estimation ofthe buried-data plus data for one sector are made to be stored in thebuffer memory 163.

[0121] When the predefined amount of reproduced data has been stored inthe buffer memory 163, the controller 171 detects the data stored in thebuffer memory 163 and estimates whether or not the offset data can bedetected from the stored data (step S43).

[0122] At this time, the format of reproduced data is estimated firstfrom subcode, etc. incidental to the reproduced data. In other words, itis estimated whether or not the format indicates that the audio dataprobably include the buried-data. When it is estimated that the formatof inputted data does not indicate that the audio data probably includethe buried-data, the subsequent estimation processings are not executedand the reproduced data stored in the buffer memory 163 are processed bythe decode/encode block 160 before outputted from the external interface173 to the outside (In the example of FIG. 1, the host computer 200).Specifically, for example, when a data-block type of the reproduced datais indicated as raw data, it is estimated that the audio data probablyhave the buried-data. When the other data-block type is indicated, thesubsequent record restriction processing according to the flow chart ismade not to be executed.

[0123] Then, when it is estimated that the format of reproduced dataindicates that the buried-data is probably included in the audio data,the processing to detect the offset data from the reproduced data isactually executed. If the offset data are detected as the result of thatestimation, the buried position of the copyright information indicatedby the offset data is estimated. Then, it is estimated whether or notthe copyright information can be detected from the corresponding data ofstored data in the buffer memory 163 (step S44). When no copyrightinformation can be detected by this processing, the processing isrepeated until the copyright information is detected. If the copyrightinformation has been detected, content of the copyright information ischecked (step S45). In checking the contents, it is estimated from thecopy-limitation yes/no information (see FIG. 4) included in thecopyright information whether the copying is limited or not (step S46).

[0124] When it is estimated at this step that there is nocopy-limitation, the reproduced data stored in the buffer memory 163 areprocessed by the decode/encode block 160 before outputted from theexternal interface 173 to the outside (In the example of FIG. 1, thehost computer 200) (step S47). Even after the outputting of reproduceddata has been started, each time new data for a fixed time period arebuffered in the buffer memory 163, the processing returns to the stepS43 for detecting the offset data regularly.

[0125] When it is detected at the step S46 that there is thecopy-limitation, the number of times of copying to be permitted isestimated (step S49) from the copy-control information (see FIG. 4) inthe copyright information. In case of this example, there is thecopy-limitation and the copying is permitted only once, so that it isestimated whether the number of times of copying permitted is once ornot. If the number of times of copying permitted is estimated not to beonce (that is, the number of times of copying permitted is null time),the controller 171 controls to stop reproducing at that time, thusmaking the data stored in the buffer memory 163 not to be outputted fromthe external interface 173 to the outside of the disk-drive apparatus100 (step S50). Moreover, after the outputting of reproduced data hasalready been started, if the copy-control information indicative of nulltime as the number of times of copying permitted is detected at thisstep, then the reproduction at that time is also stopped.

[0126] Further, when it is estimated at the step S49 that the copying ispermitted once, a renewal processing which rewrites contents of theburied-data including the copyright information, which is contained indata stored in the buffer memory 163, is executed (step S51). Therenewal processing in this case is to revise the contents so that thecopyright information may be indicative of null time as the number oftimes of copying permitted. The revision processing is the sameprocessing as in the recording which has already been described withreference to the flow chart of FIG. 6.

[0127] In this way, data stored in the buffer memory 163 are rewrittenand the copyright information is revised thereby. The thus revised dataare read out of the buffer memory 163 and processed by the decode/encodeblock 160 if necessary under the control of the controller 171 beforeoutputted from the external interface 173 to the outside (host computer200). Thereafter, the reproduction from the disk and the outputting ofreproduced data are continued (step S52). However, after the outputtingof reproduced data has been started at the step S52, the processing isreturned to the step S44 for estimating at any time if the copyrightinformation is processed appropriately. When it is estimated at the stepS49 that the copying is not permitted, the outputting of reproduced datais stopped.

[0128] Furthermore, when no offset data can be detected at the step S43from a certain amount of data stored in the buffer memory 163, the dataare estimated as including no buried-data and the processing is moved tothe step S47 for making the output processing of reproduced data to bestarted. However, if the copyright information is detected byprocessings at the steps S43 and S44 from data buffered at the laterstep S48, the outputting of reproduced data is then stopped when thestep S50 is reached on detected conditions at that time.

[0129] By processing in this manner during reproduction, it is alsopossible to prevent effectively wrong copying, etc. of data reproducedfrom a disk based on the copyright management information buried in datarecorded on the disk. In this case, similarly to processings in therecording, all needed for execution are the estimation of data stored inthe buffer memory 163 by the controller 171 and the rewriting of datastored in the buffer memory 163. Therefore, there is no need for specialcircuits which process to detect and rewrite the buried-data, therebyenabling the buried-data management in reproduction to be performed withsimpler structure and processing accordingly.

[0130] Additionally, in the description referring to the flow chart ofFIG. 7, it is simply controlled whether the outputting of reproduceddata is restricted or not. However, depending on conditions of thereproduced data being outputted at that time, the processing based onthe flow chart of FIG. 7 can be executed. For example, when thedisk-drive apparatus 100 is connected to an equipment such as the hostcomputer 200, as shown in FIG. 1, in which the reproduced data will mostlikely be recorded in digital form as they are, the outputting ofreproduced data to the connected equipment can be restricted as shown inthe flow chart of FIG. 7. At the same time, for example, when thereproduced audio data are converted into analog form and outputted as ananalog audio signal, it is possible not to restrict outputting from theoutput terminal no matter what kind of buried-data is detected.

[0131] Moreover, although the controller 171 in the disk-drive apparatus100 estimates for restricting the recording and reproduction in theabove-mentioned embodiment, the disk-drive apparatus 100 can performrecording data supplied from the host computer 200 on the disk 101 andoutputting data reproduced from the disk 101 to the host computer 200based on instructions from the host computer 200, while a control meansin the host computer 200 estimates similarly the buried-data in data tobe recorded or in reproduced data stored in a memory functioning as abuffer memory within the host computer 200, for causing the hostcomputer 200 to restrict the recording and to restrict the outputting ofreproduced data.

[0132] Furthermore, although the predetermined amount of initial data isfirst stored in the buffer memory to detect the buried-data frominputted data (or reproduced data) in the above-mentioned embodiment, ifthe inputted data are audio data for example, it is possible to make thecontroller estimate a signal level of the audio data and buffer theinputted data in the buffer memory as the initial data until the signallevel of audio data reaches a certain level that the buried-data iscertainly included.

[0133] In addition, although the detection and rewriting of data areperformed using the buffer memory 163 connected to the decode/encodeblock 160 in the aforementioned embodiment, the detection and rewritingof data can be performed using the other buffer memory included in acircuit of the recording system or reproducing system.

[0134] Although the record processing and reproduction processing basedon the buried-data buried in audio data have been described with theabove-described embodiment, it is of course possible to detect datawhich are directly buried in other various contents data to controlrecording in various media or reproducing from those media.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0135] According to the recording method and recording apparatus of thepresent invention, for example, when copy-limiting information isincluded in additional information buried in inputted contents data,processing to restrict recording the contents data in a medium isexecuted based on the additional information, in which data stored inthe buffer means that temporarily stores data to be recorded areestimated. Therefore, a satisfactory processing to restrict recordingwill be executed and a copyright protection processing such asprevention of wrong copying can easily be accomplished.

[0136] Moreover, according to the reproducing method and reproducingapparatus of the present invention, for example, when copy-limitinginformation is included in additional information buried in contentsdata reproduced from a medium, processing to restrict outputting thecontents data is executed based on the additional information, that is,the outputted contents data are restricted from being recorded in theother medium. By estimating data stored in the buffer means temporarilystoring reproduced data, a satisfactory processing to restrictoutputting the reproduced data will be executed, so that a copyrightprotection processing such as prevention of wrong copying in which thereproduced data are recorded by the other recording apparatus can easilybe attained.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0137]100 . . . DISK-DRIVE APPARATUS

[0138]101 DISK

[0139]110 . . . BASE UNIT

[0140]111 . . . SPINDLE MOTOR

[0141]112 . . . FORWARDING MOTOR

[0142]121 . . . LASER DRIVER

[0143]122 . . . DETECTOR

[0144]123 . . . BEAM SPLITTER

[0145]124 . . . LENS

[0146]130 . . . SERVO BLOCK

[0147]131 . . . SPINDLE SERVO UNIT

[0148]132 . . . SERVO PROCESSOR

[0149]133 . . . FOCUSING/TRACKING/SLIDE SERVO UNIT

[0150]140 . . . RF PROCESSING BLOCK

[0151]141 . . . AUTOMATIC POWER CONTROL CIRCUIT (APC CIRCUIT)

[0152]142 . . . DIGITAL/ANALOG CONVERTER

[0153]143 . . . SAMPLE/HOLD AND MATRIX AMP CIRCUIT

[0154]144 . . . RF SIGNAL PROCESSOR CIRCUIT

[0155]150 . . . DIGITAL PROCESSING BLOCK

[0156]151 . . . TIMING GENERATOR

[0157]152 . . . EFM EQUALIZER

[0158]153 . . . ANALOG/DIGITAL CONVERTER AND DIGITAL PROCESSOR CIRCUIT

[0159]160 . . . ENCODE/DECODE BLOCK

[0160]161 . . . CD-ROM ENCODER/DECODER

[0161]162 . . . EFM & CIRC ENCODER/DECODER

[0162]163 . . . BUFFER MEMORY

[0163]171 . . . CONTROLLER

[0164]172 . . . ATIP DEMODULATOR

[0165]173 . . . EXTERNAL INTERFACE

[0166]200 . . . HOST COMPUTER

1. A recording method comprising: a storage step of making buffer meansstore temporarily a predetermined amount of inputted contents data; adetection step of detecting additional information buried in saidcontents data from said contents data temporarily stored in said storagestep; an estimation step of estimating contents of said additionalinformation detected in said detection step; and a recording step ofrecording said contents data in a predetermined medium when estimatedthat said contents data can be recorded in said estimation step and ofstopping recording said contents data in the medium when estimated thatsaid contents data must not be recorded in said estimation step.
 2. Therecording method according to claim 1, further comprising a rewritingstep of rewriting said additional information stored in said buffermeans while said additional information is being stored in said buffermeans, when estimated in said estimation step that it is necessary torewrite said additional information.
 3. The recording method accordingto claim 1, further comprising a kind identification step of identifyingthe kind of data on said inputted contents data, wherein only when saidcontents data are identified as data of a predetermined format in saidkind identification step, said detection step and estimation step areexecuted for restricting the recording in the medium.
 4. The recordingmethod according to claim 3, wherein said predetermined format to beidentified in said kind identification step is a format indicative ofaudio data.
 5. The recording method according to claim 1, wherein whensaid contents data start to be inputted, if a predetermined amount ormore of said contents data has been stored in said buffer means in saidstorage step, detection in said detection step is started.
 6. Arecording apparatus comprising: buffer means for storing temporarily apredetermined amount of inputted contents data; control means fordetecting additional information buried in said contents data from saidcontents data temporarily stored in said buffer means, for making saidcontents data to be recorded when contents of the detected additionalinformation indicate that said contents data can be recorded, and forstopping said contents data from being recorded when said contentsindicate that said contents data must not be recorded; and recordermeans for recording said contents data in a predetermined medium underthe control of said control means.
 7. The recording apparatus accordingto claim 6, wherein said control means, when estimating that saidadditional information must be rewritten, controls to rewrite saidadditional information stored in said buffer means while said additionalinformation is being stored in said buffer means.
 8. The recordingapparatus according to claim 6, wherein said control means identifiesthe kind of data on said contents data temporarily stored in said buffermeans, and controls to permit said contents data to be recorded in saidmedium or to inhibit said contents data from being recorded only whenthe kind of data identified is indicative of a predetermined format ofdata.
 9. The recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein aftersaid buffer means has stored a predetermined amount of data or over,said control means starts detecting said additional information.
 10. Areproducing method comprising: a storage step of making buffer meansstore temporarily a predetermined amount of contents data reproducedfrom a predetermined medium; a detection step of detecting additionalinformation buried in said contents data from said contents datatemporarily stored in said storage step; an estimation step ofestimating contents of said additional information detected in saiddetection step; and an outputting step of outputting said contents datatemporarily stored in said buffer means to the outside, when estimatedthat said contents data can be copied in said estimation step, and ofnot outputting said contents data temporarily stored in said buffermeans to the outside, when estimated that said contents data must not becopied.
 11. The reproducing method according to claim 10, furthercomprising a rewriting step of rewriting said additional informationstored in said buffer means while said additional information is beingstored in said buffer means, when estimated in said estimation step thatit is necessary to rewrite said additional information.
 12. Therecording method according to claim 10, further comprising a kindidentification step of identifying the kind of data on said contentsdata stored in said storage step, wherein only when said contents dataare identified as data of a predetermined format in said kindidentification step, said detection step and estimation step areexecuted for restricting the outputting of reproduced data.
 13. Thereproducing method according to claim 12, wherein said predeterminedformat to be identified in said identification step is a formatindicative of audio data.
 14. The reproducing method according to claim12, wherein when said contents data start to be reproduced, if apredetermined amount or more of said contents data has been stored insaid buffer means in said storage step, detection in said detection stepis started.
 15. The reproducing method according to claim 12, furthercomprising an indication step of indicating a result estimated in saidestimation step in a predetermined manner.
 16. A reproducing apparatuscomprising: reproduction means for reproducing contents data from apredetermined medium; buffer means for storing temporarily apredetermined amount of said contents data reproduced by saidreproduction means; output means for outputting said contents datatemporarily stored in said buffer means; and control means for detectingadditional information buried in said contents data from said contentsdata temporarily stored in said buffer means, for making said contentsdata outputted from said output means when the detected additionalinformation indicates that said contents data can be copied, and formaking said contents data not outputted from said output means when itis indicated that said contents data must not be copied.
 17. Thereproducing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said control means,when estimating that said additional information of said contents dataoutputted from said output means must be rewritten, controls to rewritesaid additional information stored in said buffer means while saidadditional information is being stored in said buffer means.
 18. Thereproducing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said control meansidentifies the kind of data on said contents data temporarily stored insaid buffer means, and controls to make said contents data not outputtedfrom said output means only when said contents data are identified asdata of a predetermined format.
 19. The reproducing apparatus accordingto claim 16, wherein after said buffer means has stored a predeterminedamount of data or more, said control means starts detecting saidadditional information.
 20. The reproducing apparatus according to claim16, further comprising indication means for indicating contentsinstructed by said additional information detected by said controlmeans.